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It's cold, gray, wet and depressing: It's winter in the cold parts of the United States. A weekend getaway to a southern destination is often enough for some much-needed R&amp;R without spending a lot of time or money. Just feeling the warm sun on your face when you are suffering winter burnout is enough to recharge your batteries so that you can make it to spring in your part of the country.

Getting There

If you live within 300 miles of your destination, it makes sense to drive, since it allows you to have total control over your time and your own car when you get there. Plus it costs much less than plane tickets. But if you live farther away, time is at a premium over a weekend, and the plane would be a better choice to allow more hours at your destination. Several airlines offer discounted weekend getaway flights at the last minute; if you have a flexible time frame and can be spontaneous, waiting until then is a good option. Otherwise, book your tickets as far in advance as possible, since that tends to result in a lower fare.

When to Go

You generally will find lower plane fares after the winter holiday season, in January and February. March begins to get busy because of spring break vacations, for which the South is a preferred destination. Another reason that January and February is a good time: Both months offer a three-day holiday weekend opportunity, which is a real bonus for a getaway.

Where to Go

The South is multi-dimensional, but the entire region has generally mild weather in winter. You can look for trips that focus on history and culture or follow the lure of the beach. The usual Florida suspects -- Miami, Sanibel and Captiva, Naples -- have their obvious charms. You might find other places less crowded and interesting. For a beach getaway, check out Siesta Key off of Sarasota, Florida. It was named the second-best beach in the world in 2010 by "Dr. Beach," Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. Key West offers up water adventures with a Caribbean ambience: snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and sport fishing, along with nightlife and world-famous sunsets. If you are a history buff, look into a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia. Charleston calls itself the place where history lives, and there is ample evidence, from Fort Sumter to its restored historic center. Kiawah Island's Beachwater Park also landed a place that best US beaches listing, coming in at No. 8. Savannah has a similar feel, with its restored historic district, coastal location and antebellum architecture. But what's unique to Savannah are its pocket parks, which dot the oldest section of the city and lend an intimate charm. All of these locations offer exceptional golf opportunities nearby, if a winter getaway for you must include a round or two.

Weather

Key West is the most dependably warm of these destinations, with winter daytime highs in the mid-70s F. Siesta Key is next, with highs in the low 70s. Savannah and Charleston are somewhat cooler, with highs in the low to-mid-60s and upper 50s to low 60s, respectively. Key West has the lowest average precipitation during the winter, and Savannah has the highest.

Considerations

The key to a relaxing and revitalizing weekend getaway is to not pack too much into such a sort period of time. And since it is winter, have a backup plan. Either be able to postpone the trip if the weather turns bad or be prepared to switch gears, drop some activities and add others.

Resources

About the Author

Suzanne Topham got her first newsroom job as an editor in the '70s. She spent most of her career at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where she was a copy desk chief for the features and national/foreign desks and a travel and style reporter. She also pioneered the position of A1 editor at the Post-Dispatch. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri.